Page:Paradisus Londinensis 1(2).djvu/18

 IV.

VACCINIUM BUXIFOLIUM.

Box-leaved Vaccinium.

ORDO NATURALIS.

Ericæa. Juss. Gen. p. 159.

Pericarpium inferum, 4-5-loculare, succulentum, clausum, deciduum. Semina 10-30 in singulis loculis. Corolla monopetala limbo brevi, 4-5-fido; decidua. Antheræ 8-10, valvis apice oblique foraminosis. ''Frutices, quidam humillimi, gemmiferi. Folia alterna, in plerisque dentata, autumno decidua vel sempervirentia. Flores solitarii fasciculati spicative, sæpius axillares.''


 * * Folia sempervirentia.

V. foliis obovatis, dentatis, glabris, subtus æquatis: spicis e superioribus axillis, dense multifloris: stigmatibus hemisphæricis.

V. brachycerum. ''Michaux Fl. Boreali-Amer. v.'' 1. p. 234.

Sponte nascentem circa Winchester in Virgina, legit A. Michaux.

Floret apud nos Maio.

A beautiful dwarf species, resembling V. Vitis Idæea, from which however it may always be distinguished by the capitate stigma. The stems creep a little under the ground, and are covered with a short rough pubescence. Leaves sometimes oval, without any callous dots on the under surface: midrib hairy on its upper surface. Flowers blush-coloured. Common peduncle very short. Calyx and Corolla generally five-cleft. Filaments 10, attached at the very base to the corolla, but inserted like it, in the receptacle which surrounds the top of the fruit, having anthers shorter than in many others, and without a spur. It thrives best in light sandy vegetable mould, among rocks, and other shrubs.

REFERENCES TO THE PLATE.
 * 1) . A Flower magnified.
 * 2) . The Anthers and Germen.
 * 3) . An Anther magnified.
 * 4) . The Calyx and Germen magnified.